FanGraphs: Pittsburgh Pirates Alen Hanson ‘Perhaps Gem of Sleepers’

The sheer numbers are overwhelming for a teenaged shortstop in the Pittsburgh Pirates system. It’s hard for me to even remember a shortstop doing what Alen Hanson is doing.

"“Hanson is my opinion is the MVP of the league,” West Virginia manager Rick Sofield said. “He’s a triple-threat.”"

The 19-year old switch-hitter is the spark plug for the Power from his lead off spot.  If he can continue this success, and improve his fielding, he will cement his place in the top of the batting order as he climbs through the Buccos system.

Don’t let the 5’11,” 152 pound frame fool you, he’s crushed from both sides of the plate putting up an .836OPS against left handers while spiking that to a .955 against righties.

The speed is what impresses me, well other than the pop off the bat, and the….you get the point.  But seriously, the guy can fly.  Watch.

The numbers are solid.  Hanson has a .921 OPS and .541 SLG which puts him in third in the entire South Atlantic League.  The prospects in the first two spots have over 100 less at-bats than Hanson.

He has over 500 plate appearances now, has crushed 16 bombs, scored 90 runs, and stole 30 bases. The power gets even better when one looks at those 29 doubles and 12 triples.

Hanson has hit well before this year, but not like this.  It’s been a while since a Pirates player, let alone a shortstop, has jumped onto the national scene like Hanson has this year.  It’s damn refreshing to see.